Gamble Named Eagles V.p.

April 30, 1985|by COULT AUBREY, The Morning Call

Harry Gamble never played professional football, but he's got to be the fastest rising star in National Football League administration.

Gamble was locked into his job as general manager of the Philadelphia Eagles only a month when Miami car dealer Norman Braman started negotiations in early March to buy the team from Leonard Tose for a reported $65 million.

He has impressed Braman so much since then that yesterday, in his first official act as team owner, Braman elevated the former Lafayette coach to vice president, a position in which he'll oversee the day-to-day operation of the club.

"I've been very impressed with Harry in the past two months since I agreed to purchase the Eagles," Braman said from his office in Veterans Stadium. "I am expanding his title to vice president-general manager to show clearly that he will be in charge of all operations of the Eagles on a day-to-day basis. He will report directly to me or my partner Ed Leibowitz."

Naturally Gamble is delighted with the promotion, but it caught him by surprise, just as on Feb. 3 when Tose named him general manager.

"It came as a total surprise; very much so," he said. "I never anticipated anything about the move. I felt I was general manager and was hoping I was going to be able to continue in that role."

Gamble, who coached Lafayette from 1967-70 and posted a 21-19 record, succeeds Tose's daughter Susan Fletcher as vice president. With both jobs, his responsibility will be more extensive.

"My role now will be more encompassing," he explained. "I'll be in charge of the whole operation, or the responsibility for it. I guess Mr. Braman wants me to keep my finger on the pulse of all departments within the organization."

The new vice president thinks Braman will be a good owner. "He's a fine man, very civic minded," Gamble said, "and just delighted to be the Eagles' owner. He'll provide excellent direction."

Based on his record, so will Gamble, who has risen remarkably in the Eagles' organization in only four years. Literally forced out of the head job at Penn when he refused to fire some longtime and devoted assistant coaches, he became an unpaid assistant under former Coach Dick Vermeil in the summer of 1981. He became administrative assistant under Vermeil in 1982 and held the same position under Coach Marion Campbell before being named director of football administration.

"I'm certainly excited and appreciative of the opportunity given to me by Mr. Braman," Gamble said. "It's an honor."